From Mocked to Minted: Bengaluru Software Engineer’s Viral Journey from Startup Rejection to Google Triumph
A Bengaluru software engineer was mocked during a startup interview and later joined Google. Her viral story sparks a conversation about hiring bias and resilience.
NewsSutra
In an era where stories of resilience echo louder than ever, the tale of Nikita Rao, a Bengaluru-based software engineer, has captivated the Indian tech community and beyond. Mocked and humiliated during an interview at a rising startup, she didn’t just bounce back—she landed a role at Google.
Her journey, now viral on platforms like LinkedIn and X, has become more than just a personal victory. It stands as a symbol of grit, self-worth, and the power of perseverance, particularly within India’s hyper-competitive tech ecosystem.
The Interview That Sparked a Storm
It all began earlier this year when Nikita, an engineer with three years of experience in backend development and a degree from a mid-tier university, interviewed at a Bengaluru-based AI startup. According to a detailed post she later shared on LinkedIn, the panel not only questioned her competence but mocked her resume, insinuating that she was “not cut out for real product work.”
“They laughed at my college, belittled my freelance projects, and ended by saying, ‘We don’t hire average engineers.’ I left feeling crushed but not defeated,” she wrote in her now-viral post.
The incident left a deep impact on Nikita, but instead of allowing rejection to define her, she channeled the insult into fuel for focused self-improvement.
Resilience in Action
After the ordeal, Nikita overhauled her preparation strategy. She immersed herself in open-source contributions, enrolled in specialized machine learning courses on Coursera, participated in live coding contests on LeetCode, and even published two technical articles on Medium that drew attention for their clarity and depth.
Her dedication did not go unnoticed. Within months, recruiters from global tech giants began reaching out, and after three rounds of interviews, Nikita received an offer from Google’s Mountain View office in its cloud infrastructure team.
Social Media Applauds Her Comeback
Her story, shared on LinkedIn, garnered over 3 million views within 72 hours. Thousands of users—tech professionals, hiring managers, and fresh graduates—commented on the toxic interview culture that continues to pervade startups and praised her comeback as a masterclass in self-belief.
“What stood out was not just her technical growth, but the emotional strength to keep going,” wrote one user.
Prominent voices like Ankur Warikoo and Harshil Mathur also reshared her post, calling it a wake-up call for how candidates are treated in the interview room.
The Startup Responds
As the story gained traction, social media sleuths quickly identified the startup in question—though Nikita never named them publicly. Facing growing backlash, a co-founder issued a public apology, admitting that "the panel’s behavior was unacceptable and does not represent the values of our company."
However, many in the tech community believe this apology came only after the public outcry and highlighted a deeper issue: elitism and lack of empathy in the hiring ecosystem.
Industry-Wide Reflection
Nikita’s experience has sparked wider discussion on hiring practices in Indian startups, especially concerning:
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Bias against candidates from non-IIT/NIT institutions
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Dismissive attitudes toward self-taught or freelance developers
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Toxic behavior during interviews masked as “stress testing”
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Neglect of soft skills, adaptability, and learning potential
“Startups need to realize that intelligence and talent are not the monopoly of elite colleges. Hiring should be inclusive, respectful, and merit-driven,” said Priya Reddy, CTO of a Bengaluru-based fintech company.
The Google Journey Begins
Today, Nikita works with Google’s global infrastructure team, contributing to scalable cloud solutions. She’s also mentoring aspiring engineers from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, encouraging them to believe in their skills regardless of pedigree.
“I didn’t write my success story to brag. I wrote it because someone else might be where I was, questioning if they are good enough. You are,” she wrote in a follow-up post.
Her transition from rejection to global opportunity reflects a larger shift in the narrative—one where skills and determination increasingly outweigh brand names and degrees.
Expert Reactions
Veteran HR leaders and engineers have weighed in on the significance of this story.
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Ritika Suri, ex-Director at NASSCOM, remarked:
“This is a teachable moment. The talent pool in India is vast, and hiring frameworks must evolve to be more empathetic and inclusive.”
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Kunal Shah, founder of CRED, noted:
“Resilience wins. But we must make sure no one has to fight this hard just to be treated with respect in an interview.”
Conclusion
Nikita’s story isn’t just about one woman triumphing over adversity. It is a mirror to a culture that often measures potential by pedigree, and a beacon for every young coder or developer who has ever been made to feel less than worthy.
Her rise from mockery to a seat at one of the world’s top tech companies serves as a bold declaration: Respect talent, value resilience, and rethink the way we interview.
